9 Essential Oils for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High Blood pressure or hypertension is a common medical condition in the 21st century. We live in a fast-paced society, lead busy schedules, stressing lifestyle, and often have to consume unhealthy diet. According to the CDC, 1 of 3 adults in the USA—about 70 million people—have hypertension and only half of this population have it under control.

Signs & Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

There are usually no signs or symptoms indicating high blood pressure, and that prompted its other name, ‘silent killer.' It has significant risks like stroke, heart failure, which are the two leading causes of death in the USA. Other health risks include vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease.

Blood Pressure is determined through Systolic Pressure and Diastolic Pressure, which are minimum and maximum pressures respectively. A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or below. A person is said to have high blood pressure if his blood pressure hits 140/90 and above.

Alternatively to common medication, you can use essential oils to reduce high blood pressure. Essential Oils are efficient in stimulating the immune system, relieving stress, and promoting new cell growth. Here is a list of the best essential oils for High Blood Pressure relieve

What Are The Best Essential Oils for High Blood Pressure?

This is our list of essential oils that should work well to help you with your high blood pressure. Remember that these oils should only be considered as 'help' and not replace any of your existing medication.​

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Oil, extracted from Lavandula Angustifolia, is probably the most popular essential oil out there. This is because of its excellent therapeutic properties, useful in treating many health conditions including high blood pressure. Lavender Oil has an alluring floral and sweet aroma. It has outstanding effects on the effect on the nervous system and can balance disorders. It works for depression, uplifts mood and aids relaxation.

In a study, impulses in the brain before and after inhaling lavender oil were measured in participants using electroencephalogram (EEG). The study showed the Lavender Oil decreased heart rate and blood pressure. The mount of relaxing theta and alpha waves in the brain also improved significantly. Using Lavender Oil for high blood pressure will help you manage stress, give you a positive mental energy and make you feel reinvigorated, alert, and refreshed. Its analgesic properties work for headaches and migraines too.

Marjoram Oil

Although Marjoram oil isn’t as popular as Lavender oil, it works similarly as a mood boosting and stress relieving oil. Over the years, Marjoram Oil has been used traditionally in Moroccan culture for treating hypertension. It can dilate blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure. Marjoram oil is high in alcohol and makes an excellent analgesic agent. When used, it warms and soothes the body, calms emotional disorders, and balance the nervous system. Marjoram oil has a woody and spicy aroma and is also good for depression and to prevent emotional eating.

A study conducted showed that Sweet Marjoram Oil is useful for alleviating myocardial oxidative stress. It also revealed that the oil does not work for high blood pressure alone; it helps people who suffer from heart attacks. Marjoram is also one of the Essential oils for high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Ylang-Ylang Oil

Inhaling Ylang-ylang oil is enough to trigger a happy feeling and reduce the feeling of stress and fatigue. This sweet smelling oil is rich in sesquiterpenes and is responsible for its hypotensive and calming properties. Using ylang-ylang oil for high blood pressure will reduce your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure, promote relaxation and boost your mood. It is also an essential oil for anxiety and insomnia – two conditions known to trigger high blood pressure. Ylang-ylang oil also helps to detoxify the body and ease nervous tension.

In a study conducted to compare an essential oil blend containing ylang-ylang oil with a synthetic fragrance revealed that ylang-ylang had a considerable effect on blood pressure. Participants experienced lower heart rates, reduced blood pressure, and stress levels. It also caused a reduction in cortisol levels and stress factors in humans. When used along with other essential oils like lavender and bergamot oil, the result is even more outstanding.

Bergamot Oil

Bergamot oil is a citrus-based oil with a crisp and refreshing aroma. It is a common ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and even foods. Studies have shown consistently the powerful medicinal benefits of bergamot oil. It can help alleviate stress, boost mood and uplift the spirit. When the molecules of Bergamot Oil hit your air passages, the nose releases neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine based on signals it received from the olfactory gland. These neurotransmitters trigger a happy feeling.

A study has shown that diffusing bergamot essential oil for 15 – 60 minutes can cause a significant reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. Another study done in a high-stress environment showed that bergamot oil caused a decrease in anxiety levels, and boosted the moods of those who were exposed to it. Also, bergamot oil does not only reduces blood pressure; it curbs emotional eating too.

Clary Sage Oil

Clary Sage Oil is a sweet smelling oil with excellent therapeutic benefits. A study once showed that clary sage could even be a more effective remedy for high blood pressure than lavender oil. There, clary sage oil was compared side by side with lavender oil and a control oil. Although Lavender oil performed better than the control oil, clary sage a more significant reduction in blood pressure than the other two making it the best essential oil for high blood pressure. Additionally, it caused systolic and diastolic reductions and reduced the breathing rate in those who inhaled the oil.

Clary Sage also contains antidepressant and analgesic properties that help to alleviate depression and stress.

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense has been used for ages in religious rites and spiritual ceremonies. It was believed that burning frankincense oil helped promote tranquility and peace of mind. With properties similar to ylang-ylang oil, it has powerful soothing effects on the body. Using Frankincense essential oil for hypertension will help reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. It can also help to improve mental clarity, relieve agitation and anger, calm your mind, and alleviate depression.

Jasmine Oil

Jasmine Oil has a deliciously sweet aroma that can trigger feelings of euphoria. It has excellent analgesic and antidepressant properties that help to calm nerves, boost moods and optimism. Jasmine can also contribute to balance your emotions and alleviate anxiety and depression, which contributes to high blood pressure.

Tea Tree Oil

Extracted from a plant native to Australia, Tea Tree oil has calming effects on the nervous system. It has antidepressant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties that help the body relax. A study has shown that using Tea Tree oil for high blood pressure can help to reduce your heart rate, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation. During the study, a section of the group were given Tea tree oil to use as massage oils thrice weekly, and the other section were to go on their normal lives. After a month, the people who used the oil had higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for relieving stress. They had lower blood pressure than the ones who didn’t use the oil.

Tea Tree oil can also be used for varicose veins, shingles, depression and other health conditions.

Neroli Oil

Neroli oil works as both a sedative and analgesic agent. It can help relieve depression, calm the body and ease stress. It is also a good essential oil for anxiety and for dispelling feelings of anger and irritation.

Essential Oils to avoid With High Blood Pressure

The oils listed above are efficient for lowering high blood pressure; the following oils do the opposite. If you are already using any, please discontinue use.

Sally Wong

Sally Wong is a manual therapist for about 15 years now and also a massage specialist. She is actively taking care of her body to stay healthy and in shape by doing Yoga and Tai Chi. She has a lot of knowledge and interest in Essential Oils because of her Oriental background. She learnt many things from her Grandmother. Originally from a small village in South China, now she lives in Vancouver, Canada.

2comments

Tisha
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July 29, 2017

Marjoram on the snoring page says it’s not safe during pregnancy, but over here it says it’s used in pregnancy. I’m confused????